Overpass is underway!

The overpass is well underway...

Tigres on the selling block! :(

News broke over the weekend that the Cancun Tigres are up for grabs.  If purchased, they'll likely be leaving Cancun.

Anybody happen to know anyone who would want to buy a hometown baseball team?? ;)  They're a great team!  They made the Mexico National Championship Series last year.

If sold, it means no more games (which are fabulous if you haven't been), no more yummy choripan, no more palomas, and no more Chacho (the ever entertaining team mascot)!!  It also means that I'll have to throw my Tigres T-Shirts with my Cancun Langosteros Shirts (our last team that was sold) in that pile of work shirts/rags.

Go Tigres!  Hopefully a hometown hero will buy them to keep them, the food, and drinks flowing out of the stadium next season!

Mexico is Home to China's Largest Foreign Investment

Interesting Reading...

"Mexico is now the place with highest number of investment projects of Chinese companies outside China,"

reports an article published today in MexicoInvestorDigest.com

Living Green in Puerto Morelos!

Green Cleaning Products, Household Products, and Recycling are becoming easier and easier to find.  Lately, there has been a huge improvement in biodegradable products offered.

RECYCLING:  A large recycling collection is taken in the town square the last Saturday of each month.  They accept batteries, computer equipment, Plastics #1 & #2, and cardboard.  You can also drop off your plastics and cardboard outside the DIF office (on Av. Rojo Gomez) any time.  Glass recycling receptacles (as well plastic, etc.) can be found outside of Sam's Club.

Here is a shopping guide to help you the next time you head off to the store:

1. TRASH BAGS:  There is a popular line of Biodegradable Trash Bags called "Costalitos".  They come in lots of sizes, they have drawstrings, and I've found them to be just as sturdy as normal bags...except these degrade in the elements in 6-9 months!  I've seen them at most of the major grocery stores.

 

2. "GREEN WORKS" CLEANING PRODUCTS BY CLOROX:  Walmart/Superama seem to carry the widest selection of these products - which is one of the only 'green line' of products I've seen on grocery shelves.  I use the concentrated cleaner (the one on the far left of the photo) and the toilet cleaner.  All of the products are non-toxic and biodegradable.

Their concentrated cleaner costs about 35 pesos for the bottle and it makes almost 55 LITERS of cleaning solution!  I use it for almost everything.  It's great for floors, bathrooms, tile, counters, etc.  I dilute it about 25% less than recommended and put the stronger solution in a spray bottle to degrease/clean the stove and kitchen (rather than buying the already diluted all purpose solution -- the second bottle from the right in the photo).

3.  VINEGAR:  Aside from the 2 cleaners mentioned above, I buy vinegar by the gallon from Sam's or Costco.  I mix  the solution with water 50/50 and use it to clean windows and mirrors.  I mix it 75% vinegar/25% water, spray my faucets, wait 2 minutes and clean off all of the hard water residue.

4.  LAUNDRY DETERGENT:  I have had the hardest time finding biodegradable laundry products!  Sam's Club carried a detergent for a little while, but I haven't seen it the last 2 times I was there.  Does anyone know of something available?

5. PAPER PLATES:  Unfortunately, styrofoam is still KING in Mexico, when it comes to disposable plates, cups, etc.  However, Costco does sell Paper Plates in bulk.  There is also a biodegradable, "Chinet" like plate sold at Walmart/Superama -- who used to carry a corn-based plate that was quite cool :(

Do you know of other Green Products or other places selling Green Products available?  If so, please leave a comment with your info!

Have You Seen One of These?

[ POST UPDATE: Puertomorelian Biologist, Jill, came across this post and has shared some additional info about this creature: Just for the record, they are ARACHNIDS, not insects.  They do have 4 pairs of legs, the last 3 are for walking and the 1st are modified "whips" for sensing. These 1st legs which are extremely long are used to monitor everything within a wide circle around the animal, exploring objects with a delicate tapping motion.  The appendages in the front are used to c apture prey and can give a sharp pinch if necessary.  (gulp)

 

Your friendly biologist,

 Jill ]

Moving to the tropics was quite an eye-opener for this Michigander!  I have learned from, and adapted to, the climate.  It's now one that I enjoy and prefer -- but not without bumps in the road, a few things lost to mold, and socks that forever are losing their elasticity.

One of the aspects I have found most interesting is the process is becoming acquainted with an entirely new world of animals, insects, and plants that thrive in this climate.  Some are big, some are small, some are exotic, some are scary.  We've got the creepy, the crawly, the good, bad, and ugly!

For me, most of these exotics still remain unnamed.  So, this blog has given me some incentive to start identifying and sharing some of the stranger, wierder, and/or more beautiful things that I have run across.

I thought I'd start with the insect that scared, still scares, and will continue to scare the hell out of me every time I come across one...[*insert drumroll here*]

May I present you with the TAILESS WHIP SCORPION!

Thankfully, these guys have been pretty rare!  But they are uber-creepy!!  They look like a giant spider, but with only 6 legs and whip-like antennae.  Wait for it...here's the best part...they have these giant pincher claws that they extend at you when you get to close!

Now, this picture doesn't do them justice.  You really have to watch the video file to see one in action.  It might take a bit to load, but it's worth the wait!

Here's a fun little video from youtube.com


Has anyone else seen these things??


[photo & video credit: http://tides.sfasu.edu/LSA/ARwscorpion.htm]

It's Been Raining in Puerto Morelos!!

Yea! Three nights of rain! Woo-Hoo!

For those of you that haven't been in Puerto Morelos this summer, we've had the driest "rainy season" that I have ever experienced! While we normally get daily to twice daily showers this time of year, we've had zip, zero, nada in the way of the wet stuff.

Our mangrove was bone dry and the bottom had deep cracks from being baked in the sun. A few weeks ago, Puerto Morelos Police had traffic blocked on the highway for crocodile had that headed out of the mangrove and onto the highway in search of damper digs.

Hopefully, the rain will keep coming!

[IMPORTANT NOTE TO RAIN GODS AND THE LIKE: The fact that we need rain, and the fact that we are happy about its arrival, does NOT indicate that we are in need of or want any hurricanes to supplement our lack of rainfall. Thank you.]

Your Favorite Mexican Goods Sent to Your Home!

While searching for recipes this morning, I came across a great website!  I then spent the better part of an hour cruising through all of the great info and products on their site:  recipes, drink recipes, cookware, pottery, and groceries.

MexGrocer.com sells many authentic Mexican Food Brands and Products that ship to your U.S. or Canadian address.

I also saw that they have a coupon for their 9th year anniversary.  Using the code "BIENVENIDO" at checkout will get you 20% off of your purchase.
Enjoy your Sunday!  Next Sunday morning, I'll be whipping up some of these "Breakfast Fruit Chimichangas"!

Independence Day Parade on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Caden's school marched in yesterday's parade.  A few last photos to enjoy from the festivities...

 

Caden Getting Ready To March

 

Easton Thinking It's Way to Early to Be at a Parade!  

(This parade started at 7:30 a.m.!)

 

Rasca Thoroughly Enjoying the Ongoing Festivities ;)

 

The MRP Office Decked out for the Holiday

 

Lots of Marching School Children

 

What Would a Parade be Without Horses?

 

¡Viva Mexico!

¡Viva Mexico!

Photos from the Puerto Morelos Town Square of last night's Independence Day Festivities!

  

Caden in the Square

Town Square in Lights

Folkloric Dancing

Folkloric Dancing

There were Mariachis, of course

And cute kids, of course

Miss Independence Candidates

The winner (in front) making her way around

Good Food!

The Grito:  ¡Viva Mexico!

Pilar, our Office Manager & her husband, Ernesto

Fireworks over the Water

A great time was had by all!

Mexico Celebrates 199 Years of Independence!

 And you thought you'd never use that sombrero again!

Dust 'em off!  This evening is the grand finale to the Puerto Morelos' Independence Day Celebrations.  All of these events are leading up to tomorrow, the actual Mexican Independence Day.  (All events will be in the Puerto Morelos Town Square.)  Everyone is encouraged to get dressed up for the celebration!


Tonight's schedule is:
6:00 p.m. - Folkloric, Regional Dance
9:00 p.m. - Regional Dance Performed by the Señoritas of Independence
9:30 p.m. - Regional Food Bazaar
10:00 pm. - "Grito" of Independence
11:00 p.m. - Fireworks
12:00 a.m. - Dance

History Buff Alert! Want to learn more about this holiday?  Check out Mexonline's Article: History of Mexican Independence


Tomorrow morning, (for those who either didn't stay up too late or haven't went to bed yet) there will be a parade beginning at 7:30 a.m..  Look for Caden!  He'll be marching with his Humboldt School first grade class!

This Evening's Town Square Events

The Independence Celebrations continue in the Town Square tonight. The Festivities start at 7 p.m. (or thereabouts -- such things rarely start on time).  Check the Community Events Calendar below for more details.

See you there!

My Leap into the Blogosphere!

Thanks for reading my first official blog!

I had previously been using our facebook page to update everyone on what's happening in PM. However, I am hoping that a blog format will be more effective -- especially our non-facebooking friends!

I hope that you will find this blog to be informational!